Almost two out of every five voters have reduced their consumption of beef and beef products because of the BSE problem, according to the latest Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll.
In the light of the problems raised by the animal disease BSE, 38 per cent of respondents say their consumption of beef and beef products has reduced; 61 per cent say it has not.
The poll shows the drop in consumption is most prevalent in Dublin (49 per cent) and in the ABC1 category generally (46 per cent).
The reduction is more marked nationally in urban (42 per cent) than rural (33 per cent) areas and among females (44 per cent) than males (32 per cent).
It is also greater among those age groups with families: some 42 per cent in the 35-49 age group and 41 per cent in the 5064 age group admit to a reduced consumption of beef and beef products, compared to 35 per cent each in the 18-24 and 25-34 age groups.
The poll was conducted among a national quota sample of 1,000 electors at 100 sampling points in all constituencies in the State last Monday and Tuesday. The findings are the first formal confirmation that the consumption of beef has been affected by the BSE problem in Ireland.
Some of 52 per cent of voters say they are satisfied with the way the Government is handling the BSE problem, with 60 per cent of Fianna Fail voters among them. Some 45 per cent are dissatisfied and 3 per cent don't know.
A similar majority, 52 per cent, are dissatisfied with the way the farmers' organisations are handling the BSE problem. Some 52 per cent are satisfied while 4 per cent don't know. The level of dissatisfaction is greater in urban (57 per cent) than rural (45 per cent) areas.
Irish EU Commissioner Mr David Byrne will today recommend a complete ban on all mechanically recovered meat entering the food chain, writes Jane Suiter from Davos.
The recommendation, which will be put to the Agricultural Council of EU agricultural ministers today, follows a strong recommendation from the EU's scientific steering committee.
